10 Things that You Need to Know about the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games

From May 20-28 the world’s best National Surfing Teams will unite in Biarritz, France to represent their nations and compete for Gold. Here are the 10 things that you need to know about the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games:

1. Biarritz

The iconic surf city of Biarritz, located in France’s south west Basque County, will host the 2017 ISA World Surfing Games at the picturesque beach of Grande Plage. Grande Plage features quality sand bottom waves and has hosted many major Surfing competitions before, including the French National Championships.

Biarritz last hosted the ISA World Surfing Games in 1980, when legendary surfer Tom Curren was crowned the first ISA Junior World Champion.

Grande Plage, Biarritz, France. Photo: French Surfing Federation

2. The Olympics

On August 3, 2016 the International Olympic Committee voted to include Surfing on the Sports Program of the Tokyo 2020 Games. As a result, the National Surfing Teams have their eyes set on becoming the first wave of surfers to represent their countries in the Olympics.

The Surfing competition at Tokyko 2020 will feature 20 men and 20 women and will take place on natural waves at Tsurigasaki Beach on the Chiba peninsula.

3. Country Participation

Stemming from the global growth of Surfing spurred by inclusion in the Olympic Games, the 2017 edition of the ISA World Surfing Games is set to break the record for country participation. The current record was set in 1996 when 36 nations graced the shores of Huntington Beach, USA, but in Biarritz more than 45 countries are expected to compete for Gold and represent their respective nations.

Many nations will have representation in the event for the first time in history, including Afghanistan, China, Chinese Taipei, Greece, Senegal and South Korea.

4. Follow the Action Live Online and Via Mobile App

The world championship will be streamed live on www.isaworlds.com from May 20-28. Visit the official website for results, photos, videos and news pertaining to the competition.

You can also follow the action via the official app on your mobile phone. Download the app by searching ‘WorldSurfGames’ on iOS or Android.

Additionally, the Olympic Channel will be producing daily content and streaming the competition live May 22, 27, and 28. Follow along on www.olympicchanel.com.

5. The Level of Competition

The competition level for the event is set to be world-class, with France and Brazil fielding some of the top contenders. France boasts four WSL Championship Tour surfers, Jeremy Flores, Johanne Defay, Joan Duru, and Pauline Ado, while Brazil will feature Ian Gouveia and the powerful brother tandem of Wiggolly and Weslley Dantas.

Also worth noting, Team Argentina will field the two-time and reigning Gold Medalist, Leandro Usuna, and South Africa will feature top female competitor Bianca Buitendag.

Pauline Ado is set to represent France in the Open Women’s Division. Photo: French Surfing Federation

6. The Champions

The Champions from the previous three editions of the ISA World Surfing Games are as follows:

The ISA will be posting live updates, photos and videos from the competition on social media. Follow along on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat and don’t forget use the official hashtags #ISAworlds and #ISAWSG.

Recognized by the IOC as the world governing body for Surfing, the ISA’s mission is to create a better world through Surfing. This is accomplished through annual World Championships, membership development, educational programs, scholarship distribution and working towards Surfing’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.

10. The Support of Our Partners

The 2017 ISA World Surfing Games has been organized in conjunction by the International Surfing Association and the French Surfing Federation (FFS).

The ISA and FFS would like to thank the partners and supporters of the event, who include: VISA, Quiksilver, Roxy, Air France, French National Center for Development of Sport, the French National Olympic Committee, the Nouvelle Aquitaine Region, Atlantic Pyrenees Department, Basque Country, Biarritz, France Bleu, L’equipe and France TV Sport.

About The International Surfing Association:
The International Surfing Association (ISA), founded in 1964, is recognized by the International Olympic Committee as the World Governing Authority for Surfing. The ISA governs and defines Surfing as Shortboard, Longboard & Bodyboarding, StandUp Paddle (SUP) Racing and Surfing, Bodysurfing, Wakesurfing, and all other wave riding activities on any type of waves, and on flat water using wave riding equipment. The ISA crowned its first Men’s and Women’s World Champions in 1964. It crowned the first Big Wave World Champion in 1965; World Junior Champion in 1980; World Kneeboard Champions in 1982; World Longboard Surfing and World Bodyboard Champions in 1988; World Tandem Surfing Champions in 2006; World Masters Champions in 2007; and World StandUp Paddle (SUP, both surfing and racing) and Paddleboard Champions in 2012.

ISA membership includes the surfing National Governing Bodies of 103 countries on five continents. Its headquarters are located in La Jolla, California. It is presided over by Fernando Aguerre (Argentina), first elected President in 1994 in Rio de Janeiro. The ISA’s four Vice-Presidents are Karín Sierralta (PER), Kirsty Coventry (ZIM), Casper Steinfath (DEN) and Barbara Kendall (NZL).
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